What is it like living in the Energy Corridor? (Houston: apartments, to rent)

[jek74]

I've seen some youtube videos and pictures of the area and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The area at the surface seems to resemble a giant master planned community of sorts for those working in the oil and gas sector. But what exactly is it? Is it just a collection of towns given that name? And what is it like living there? It looks great for families but would a single guy enjoy living there if he worked in the energy sector?

[westhou]

I think a single guy could enjoy living there. I have a coworker in her mid twenties who lives there and loves it because of all the parks and the proximity to City Centre. If I was going to live there I would pick somewhere along Eldridge Parkway between Westheimer and I-10.

[Lost_In_Translation]

The energy corridor is just a designation for a bunch of tall office buildings that line Eldridge and the Katy freeway. There are really no actual neighborhoods in the EC. The three residential areas that make of the area are Memorial (or Memorial West to our more picky commenters), Briarforest and West Oaks/Eldridge. They're not towns, they're just older suburbs that are now a part of Houston proper.

I'm a single guy who owns a house in the EC and I think it's a good compromise between living out in Katy and driving in from town (depending on your budget). If you aim to rent, I'd rent in City Centre or in the loop. If you can afford 300k+ and want to buy, in the loop is also the way to go. If your budget was like mine (200k max), there are quite a few options available and get a little bit of city for a lot less.

[houstonfan]

THe EC is a nickname by locals given to that area where there's a high concentration of O.G. companies. I think broadly speaking it extends from Beltway 8 to Hwy 6 along IH10, and then extends a little down Eldridge and Dairy Ashford...but there's no hard boundaries b/c it's not a subdivision. (Although the city recently changed street name signs to include an EC logo on the signs to help define this area, it still doesn't mean much imo)This area is a mix of new and old houses, single homes and apartments and townhomes. I don't consider it anything like an MPC, it's more like a bunch of smaller subdivisions that sprung up independently over the years. Lots of singles live there so I wouldn't worry about it, but there are obviously less singles than those areas closer to the city. If you love the nightclubs, you'll be happier being in the loop, but if restaurants and pubs are what you like, you will be fine.

[LimestoneApts]

I love the EC area. It is home to many wonderful businesses and my favorite sushi place, Matsu Sushi Bar. It doesn't really have too many nightclubs, but there are plenty of pubs and upscale wine rooms. It also comes with the convenience of being right next to I-10.

As far as it being a planned community, it really isn't. It has old and new single family homes as well as grade A and B luxury apartments.

[DavidAg02]

I'm an early 30's single guy, and I love living in the EC. Lot's to do now that City Centre is available.

I'm actually looking for a roommate to share my 4 bedroom house if anyone is interested.

[jek74]

OK, here's a forward question. Obviously the EC is dominated by the "energy" sector. Go figure. And it's my understanding this is a pretty male dominated industry. I get that there are probably a lot of families that live in the area. But for all you single guys living in the area, are there actually any single "women" in the area? LOL.

[Bily Lovec]

I live in a gated community in Parkway villages.
love it. lots of single women biking/jogging in Terry Hershey park

[jek74]

Wow, that Terry Hershey Park is pretty nice.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by jek74

Wow, that Terry Hershey Park is pretty nice.

Improving every year. Hope they finish work taking it to Addicks Reservoir sometime soon.